Collapsible cup.



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L. B. SMITH. GOLLAPSIBLE CUP. APPLIOATfON FILED FEB. 12, 1912.

Patented July 23, 1912.

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"untrue rare LEWIS READING SMITH, OF ROME, GEORGIA.

COLLAPSIBLE CUP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1912.

Application filed February 12, 1912. Serial No. 677,167.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Lewis lit. SMITH, a

.such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I p

-' This invention relates to certain improvements in collapsible drinking cups; and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the ligl t of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to bodiment-trom among other formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of my invent-ion.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particu larly described hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings :Figure 1, is a perspective view of the cup distended. Fig. 2, is a vertical section Fig. 3, is' a view showing the cup collapsed. Fig. 4-, is a view showing-the same partially collapsed.

The cup is formed with a wall or body 1, composed of any suitable flexible or toldable water proof material? Paper paratlined or otherwise treated to render the same waterproof, water proof t'abric, rubber. and various other materials might be employed to form the wall of the cup.

The cup is provided with an annular top stitl rim or ring 10, formed in any suitable manner and by any suitable material. This stiii'cning rim can be formed by rolling, tolding or doubling the top edge ot the materlal of the wall 1, and stiitcning the same by paraiiin or other material, or said rim can be formed by a separate stilt ring .around which the flexible material of the wall can be suitably secured. The bottom of the cup, is also provided with a stiffening ring or head to which the flexible material of the waterwall is suitably secured to form a tight joint. For instance, I show a stili bottom head 11, to which the material of the wall is secured or clamped. The closed bottom of the cup is preferably of reduced diameter with respect to the top rim of the be the preferred ein- 1 cup, so that when the cup is collapsed the wall 1, can told on the bottom and within the rim into a small flat shape occupying so little space that the collapsed cup can be easily carried on the person or in a pocket book, handbag or the like.

The flexible material of the wall is preterably formed with vertical and diagonal told lines a, so that the cup will collapse and expand with a partial rotary or twisting movement, and whereby the wall of the cup when collapsed will be twisted so as to fold fiat and evenly on the bottom wall and within the rim. v

The cup is readily distended by grasping the rim and bottom and separating the same with a twisting motion. The cup can then be held by the rim and filled with liquid for drinking purposes. To prevent the cup from collapsing or partially collapsing, when inclined to the mouth during the drinking operation and thus causing the liquid to spill over or hood the drinker, I provide a finger ring or hold 2, at the exterior of the lower end or bottom of the cup.

This ring or finger hold is loose or pivoted so that it can fold or swing to the cup bottom to rest fiat thereagainst when the cup is collapsed. I show t-he ring 2, loosely pivoted to the center ofrthe cup bottom by eye orlastening Q0, and depending loosely from the cup bottom to receive the little finger of the hand holding the cup for the purpose of maintaining the cup distended during the drinking operation. \Vhcn the cup is used tor drinking purposes, the thumb and torefinger can grasp the top'stitt rim of the cup and thus support the same while the liquid in the cup will ordinarily hold the cup distended when held in the vertical position. The little finger inserted in said ring or other finger hold at the bottom ot the cup will firmly hold the cup stretched" and distpndod in the desired straight longitudinal line when the cup is tilted from the vertical position. v 1

it is evident that various changes. variations and modifications inight be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof.

What I claim is I 1. A. collapsible cup consisting of a top supported rim, arstiti' bottom POlt-lklllyillltl a flexible toldable wall connecting the rim r l?) [2m and bottom portion and'creased to fold inwardly with a relative rotar or twistingmotion between the rim and ottom when the cup is collapsed into fiat form, the lower end of the cup provided with exterior means to be engaged by a finger of the hand supporting the cup by the top rim to maintain the cup wall against collapse and stretched in operative position between said rim and said bottom portion when tilted for drinking purposes.

2. A collapsible cup having a top rim for supporting the cup and adapted to be grasped by the thumb and forefinger, and

provided with a flexible foldable wall adapted to fold flat to said rim and having a closed bottom provided with an exterior foldahle finger ring adapted to receive a finger of the hand supporting said cup by the rimsnd to hold wall against collapse stretched. in operative form from said Kiln,

A collapsible cup consisting of a stifi porting rim, a-bottom having an exhold, and. a flexible foldable wall connecting the bottom and rim and creased to fold inwardly between the rim and bottom when the cup is collapsed into fiat form, said cup adapted to be supported bythe thumb and forefinger grasping said rim and to be heldtagainst collapse and stretched in o erativeform by another finger engaging sai finger hold. a

4. A collapsible cup consisting of a top supporting rim and a flexible foldable wall depending from said rim and adapted to collapse inwardly and fold thereto when the cup is collapsed into flat form and at its bottom provided with an exterior finger ring adapted to receive a finger of the hand supporting the cup .by the rim and to hold said wall againstcollapse and stretched in operative form from said rim when the cup is tilted.

In testimony whereof-I aifix my signature, in presence of two vwitnesses.

LEWIS READING SMITH. Witnesses: J. D. YQAKLEY,

HUBERT E. Plum. 

